With gridlock the norm, Congress's approval rating is below 10 percent and the public has lost faith in its national leadership.

This is Romney's biggest political weakness. His policy flip-flops and the general sense that he's not comfortable in his own skin leads voters, including many supporters, wondering about his core values.

At the start of his second term, one wonders less about Obama's fitness than his willingness: Why doesn't he do more to build and maintain the relationships required to govern in era of polarization?

Obama shows no sign of easing up on negativity.

White House operatives went to great lengths to show Obama shifting focus from wars abroad to domestic issues at home.

Obama ran a hard-edged and negative campaign against Romney, hoping to convince recession-weary voters that his rival was unworthy of the job.

A dose of humility goes a long way in life and in politics.